Summary

Digitised copy of a black and white photographic print of units in the process of being built as part of the conversion of Fort Warden in a holiday camp, Isle of Wight, England, circa 1952. Fort Warden had been armed with guns and during World War II acted as a command post and searchlight battery before being converted into holiday camp units during the 1950s. Hubert Halls was a carpenter working on this project during the 1950s before migrating with his family to Australia in 1963.

This photograph is one of 13 relating to the migration and settlement story of Hubert Halls who left Southampton for Melbourne on the MV Fairsea with his wife Dolly and five children in 1963. Hubert and his family lived on the Isle of Wight and he was a carpenter by trade; the images include two photos of Hubert with workmates in England, as well as photos of dockside departure and onboard ship.

Hubert had contracted polio and was ineligible for military service during WWII and he was employed to make coffins for deceased soldiers. In Australia he worked for the Melbourne City Mission until he retired. The collection also includes
two Fairsea shipboard newsletter/ information sheets and a booklet entitled 'A Handbook of Tools of Trade' published by the Commonwealth Dept of Immigration. The book with illustrations of tools and the English name are organised into specific trade groups.

Description of Content

Partially built one story buildings

Physical Description

Digitised copy of a black and white photographic print.

Significance

This collection enables the representation through images and artefacts the working life of migrants prior to migrating to Australia and the skills and trades they brought with them. The booklet entitled 'A Handbook of Tools of Trade' published by the Commonwealth Dept of Immigration is an evocative example of methods used by the Australian Government to assist tradespeople adapt to Australian working conditions, especially those of a non-English speaking background. It also speaks to the importance placed by the Dept of Immigration on building a construction and manufacturing workforce. The booklet was produced to 'help the assimilation of migrant tradesmen...Migrants will recognise the tool from the drawing, and will read and learn its English name. Foremen and Australian workmates can help by pointing out in the booklet the tools that the migrants will use, and by helping him with the correct pronunciation.'

The shipboard photographs also document the kinds of activities and entertinments organised for passengers during their migrant voyages.

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